In Flight Blogging/ Journaling

Bare with me my blog is going to be my journal to myself and my daughter. Feel free to pass on my rambling.

All I know is that I want to treasure every single moment of this experience. I want to remember it all. No matter where we are next Saturday, it is a step on our journey we are supposed to take together. Today I am overflowing with excitement for every new experience. We had a long layover of 7 hours in Atlanta, but it flew by. First, I blogged. Then I read emails and called some friends. Ian and I decided to head over to our concourse after the time just flew by. We got down to the tram and learned it was broken and we were going to see the mile long tunnel up close and personal. Fortunately, during our walk they did get the tram working again, so we got to have both experiences: walking and riding. Once we got to terminal E we ate at Fridays and then went to the Crown Room . It was stuffed, so we headed on to our gate. We were surprised to learn that once again we had to show our passports and boarding passes. I just got my laptop plugged in when they called first class to board. We had big plans to go see a movie, but by the time we finished reading emails and answering phone calls, we were worried we would be cutting it to close, and miss it totally if there was traffic. I am glad we stayed in the airport. It was nice to just sit and be together.

OK, first class on Delta. Hate to say it, but it didn’t live up to my expectations. I remember KLM being so comfortable. These seats are narrow. Now, I will say I have tons of leg room, the food was ok, the TV with adjustable touch screen and order up movies is fun. Being able to use a normal plug and run my computer was awesome. The food was so, so, but what I really want is to land and go get some Rubles and a Starbucks Mug. Oh yes, then I want to see St. Basils, even if we just drive by.

Just think of the whining I am going to do on my ride in coach home.

I miss my boys. It is very weird. Because I am so glad to not have them and have a week, especially my anniversary week, alone with my husband. Alone, together, with an amazing city to explore that is new to both of us, and a journey that we will probably only take once. A journey to what I expect will likely be our last family member. We don’t get a whole lot of alone time any more, so I know to treasure it. But, as all parents know, it is hard to be away from your children.

I wonder what Ariana’s biological mother is like. I wonder what she has had to do to mentally distance herself from her daughter. Can you imagine the courage to do what she did? In a country where women typically have 8 abortions, she kept the baby. She gave birth to a little girl. A little her. Someone she could see herself in. Someone you know she wanted to protect. She wanted something more for her. More than she could give her. She wanted her to have a mom who could give her attention. A mom who could teach her to be strong and confident and to expect greatness from herself, greatness in anything that her heart desires. A mom to be there when school gets tough. A mom to hold her when she is sick. A mom to model dignity and respect and how to be a lady. A mom to spoil her like the princess she is, and a mom to teach her to give like the angel she will always be. She didn’t just want to be rid of her. If she did she would have had an abortion and skipped all the morning sickness, stretch marks and soreness. If you didn’t care, would you really allow your nether regions to stretch out into that mess? I think even if it was for spiritual or moral reasons, why she couldn’t have an abortion, that would still indicate a sense of caring and character that is to be admired. You know she cared. And think of how much you would have to harden your heart to walk away. What you would have to convince yourself of in spite of the tiny spec of doubt in the back of your mind.

I am consumed by the sense of responsibility of this gift. She left her little girl. Her hope for the future in my hands. She is praying that I raise our daughter to be a happy young woman who can be and do whatever brings her bliss. I am to raise her to know right from wrong, to make good choices, to believe in herself, to show kindness to herself and other and to be a problem solver. I know we both want her to have amazing childhood memories that she will cherish for a lifetime, and for her to grow up to be a mother herself one day.

On a totally different note, The Bucket List is depressing so far. I might just skip it. But, Fool’s Gold with Matthew McC. Is really cute. ( I mean the movie, not him… well, ok, him too.)

It is past 3 am in Moscow. I really need to try to go to sleep and make good use of these reclining seats. Fortunately we woke up very early, so I am feeling tired. I guess it is past 7PM my time. Where has my Friday the 13th gone??

One final note. I am curious to see her birth date. Corbin was born March 21, Collin April 22nd and Aidan July 25th. I was born Dec. 30th…. Now check this pattern out:
Jan19
Feb 20
March 21
April 22
May 23
June 24
July 25
August 26
September 27
October 28
November 29
December 30

So, Ian is Feb. 13th an breaks the pattern, but it is still cool isn’t it!! Totally not planned. We will just have to see if her bday is a red thread that Ondrea talks about. There is another one we are curious about. There is a little girl whose name translates to Yana on Nicoles computer, but Ian on mine. Now how weird would that be?! Ian actually said if we get handed that picture at the MOE he is just going to throw in the towel and call it fate. That he has to start admitting to the signs. We shall see. I honestly don’t think it would be her.. she wouldn’t be in the right age bracket. But I would stop in my tracks. I have poured over the data bank countless times, looking to see if I can pick her out. There are a few that stand out for odd reasons. But, none POP out at me. They are all so cute, and so perfect I am thrilled to say that if they hand us the photo from the data bank, I will think she is cute no matter who she it. Not that it matters. Once I get a bow in her hair she is going to be a southern belle no matter what.

Now I really do need to go to sleep.

Paka!!